Ridsdale: Sign or Go

Last updated : 19 February 2002 By
Ridsdale conceeded, "No talks have been taken place for a while, but I hope to arrange a meeting in the near future.

"This situation must be resolved because if he does not want to sign a new deal, we would have to address the matter in the summer. But the indications are there will be no problems because Lee wants to stay."

Bowyer, 25 has one year left to run on his current deal, and unless he signs an extension, he will be available free on a Bosman at the end of the 2002/2003 season.

Bowyer's solicitor David Geiss confirmed, "We expect to be sitting down with Peter Ridsdale in the near future."

The combative midfielder can expect to see his salary doubled from £16,000 to almost £32,000. Arsenal, and Chelsea are said to be monitoring the situation closely.